Flowable hydrogels for botanical applications

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a method for providing a flow-able hydrogel for germinating, cultivating, transporting or displaying plants. The method generally includes at least three distinct steps: 1) dissolving a polyethylene glycol having functionalized end-groups in water to form a flow-able solution, 2) dissolving one or more activating agents within the flow-able solution such that the activating agents react with the functionalized end-groups of the polyethylene glycol to form a non-flow-able hydrogel after a set-time, 3) pouring the flow-able solution into a container prior to the set time such that the flow-able solution assumes the shape of the container and forms a non-flow-able hydrogel.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for botanical application comprising:
 a) dissolving a polyethylene glycol having functionalized end-groups in water to form a flowable solution,   b) dissolving one or more activating agents in the flowable solution such that the activating agents react with the functionalized end-groups of the polyethylene glycol to form a non-flowable hydrogel after a set-time,   c) pouring the flowable solution into a container prior to the set time such that the flowable solution assumes the shape of the container and forms a non-flowable hydrogel.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the polyethylene glycol has functional groups selected from the group consisting of an acrylate, an epoxide, a succinimide ester, a tosylate and a thiol. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the activating agent is selected from the group consisting of a peroxide, an amine, a vinyl, ascorbic acid and an iron salt. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the activating agents further comprises a nutrient selected from the group consisting of an amine and a phosphate. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the activating agents further comprises a colorant. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the activating agents further comprises an anti-microbial. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the activating agents are first dissolved in water followed by addition of the polyethylene glycol. 
     
     
         8 . A method for botanical application comprising:
 a) dissolving a polyethylene glycol having functionalized end-groups in water to form a flowable solution,   b) dissolving one or more activating agents in the flowable solution such that the activating agents react with the functionalized end-groups of the polyethylene glycol to form a non-flowable hydrogel after a set-time,   c) pouring the flowable solution into a container prior to the set time such that the flowable solution assumes the shape of the container and forms a non-flowable hydrogel   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the polyethylene glycol has functional groups selected from the group consisting of an acrylate, an epoxide, a succinimide ester, a tosylate and a thiol. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the activating agent is selected from the group consisting of comprising a peroxide, an amine, a vinyl, ascorbic acid and an iron salt. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the activating agents further comprises a nutrient selected from the group consisting of an amine and a phosphate. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the activating agents further comprises a colorant. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the activating agents further comprises an anti-microbial. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the activating agents are first dissolved in water followed by addition of the polyethylene glycol. 
     
     
         15 . A kit for botanical application comprising:
 a) a polyethylene glycol having functionalized end-groups; and   b) one or more activating agents;   
       wherein the polyethylene glycol is dissolved in water to form a flowable solution and the one or more activating agent second agent are added to the flowable solution and the flowable solution is poured into a container to form a non-flowable solution after a set time. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 15 , wherein the polyethylene glycol has functional groups selected from the group consisting of an acrylate, an epoxide, a succinimide ester, a tosylate and a thiol. 
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 15 , wherein the activating agent is selected from the group consisting of a peroxide, an amine, a vinyl, ascorbic acid and an iron salt. 
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 15 , wherein the activating agents further comprises a nutrient selected from the group the group consisting of an amine and a phosphate. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 15 , wherein the activating agents further comprises an anti-microbial. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 15  wherein the activating agents are first dissolved in water followed by addition of the polyethylene glycol.